Gymnast Amelia is all set to take on the world
A YOUNG girl who has lost almost all her sight will take part in a world gymnastics championship.
Amelia Carroll, eight, from Poynton, has qualified for the Special Educational Needs (SEN) competition, which will take place later this year.
She won a place with her performance at the national championships in July, when she came third in the vault, third on the floor and third overall.
This is despite having life-limiting CLN2 Batten disease, one symptom of which is blindness.
It is a condition her older brother Ollie, 11, also has but as Amelia was diagnosed at a younger age she has been able to have its effects slowed by treatment.
Mum Lucy Carroll, 37, said: “She has lost almost all her vision and with it her confidence, which is why
we started gymnastics.
“It keeps her mobile and builds her confidence back up. She absolutely loves it, she feels like a different child when at gymnastics.
“We are so unbelievably proud, Amelia has certainly proven that the impossible can really be a reality if you just fight hard enough.”
Amelia trains at CC
Gymnastics, on Third Avenue, Poynton, with her ‘incredible’ coach Rosie.
Because the competitions involved SEN children they take place remotely. Competitors such as Amelia perform at their club and are videoed before the results were sent to judges.
She also won through the north west category to be able to take part at national level.
CLN2 Batten’s disease is caused by a change in a gene that is responsible for making specific enzyme in the nervous system.
It causes a gradual decline in the ability to walk, speak and see, as well as progressive dementia. Life expectancy without treatment is 10-12-yearsold.
Amelia, who also lives with dad Mike, 38, brothers Danny and Mikey, 15 and 14, and sister Renesmee, two, receives brain infusions. And she has also had enzyme treatment directly into her eye.
Lucy said: “It’s great watching her as she is really happy when she does gymnastics. Normally children with CLN2 Batten disease are completely dependent on others by the time they are six.”